AN ELDERLY couple who died after becoming trapped under the wheels of a single-decker bus would have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary next month.

John Steel, 91, and his 93-year-old wife Elsie, of Talbot Grove, Bury, were preparing to mark 70 years of marriage with a party on August 8, their devastated family revealed.

John was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, at Bury Interchange, at 10am on Monday. He had worked for Bury Council as a gardener for 21 years.

Elsie - at one time an auxiliary nurse at Bury General Hospital and a member of Bury Parish Church - died later the same day at Bury's Fairfield Hospital after suffering leg and internal injuries.

'Devastated'

The couple had two children, a son and a daughter, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A statement from the family said: "The whole family have been left absolutely devastated by their deaths but we can take comfort that after all of their years together they have still not been parted.

"They touched so many people in their lives that we know they will be sadly missed." Following the incident, the driver of the bus was taken to hospital with shock. Bus company First confirmed an internal investigation was under way and police are appealing for witnesses.

The family added: "Mum and dad were married for nearly 70 years and we were all looking forward to celebrating their wedding anniversary this summer. The family had already arranged the party and mum had even started to draw up the guest list."

* If you have information about the incident ring the police on 0161 856 3572